Money in Politics

Common Cause New Mexico continues the long, hard fight to reform our incomplete campaign finance laws and regulations in an ever-changing area of the law. We have successfully implemented campaign contribution limits for candidates and political parties, the Lobbyist Regulation Act, the Campaign Reporting Act and the Open Meetings Act.

We are now working for constitutional and meaningful disclosure laws so voters know who is paying for advertisements and communications about candidates.

In Citizens United, the US Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions have the same political speech rights as individuals under the First Amendment. It found no compelling government interest for prohibiting them from using their general treasury funds to make election-related independent expenditures. However, in an 8-1 decision, the Court ruled that the disclaimer and disclosure requirements associated with electioneering communications are constitutional.

Featured Campaigns

We are asking New Mexicans to sign the “New Mexico Pledge” that details policies that can reform money in politics here in New Mexico. This is part of a positive, nonpartisan, and uniquely New Mexican public education campaign that will engage New Mexicans on the issue of money in politics and explain the personal impact of the current system. This election cycle is an important opportunity to draw attention to the influence of money in politics as New Mexicans are inundated with electoral advertising, often without knowing who is paying to influence their voting decisions. Learn More ›

Some of the nation's largest and richest companies, including Koch Industries, ExxonMobil, and AT&T, have joined forces to invest millions of dollars each year to promote the careers of thousands of state legislators and secure passage of legislation that puts corporate interests ahead of the interests of ordinary Americans. Learn More ›